Close Reads Podcast

Chaim Potok’s novel, My Name Is Asher Lev , is one of Tim’s favorite books, and its also one that has been nominated by listeners for a long time. So we’re thrilled to be digging into it. Here in episode one of this series, David, Heidi, and Tim discuss the way Potok skillfully reveals his protagonist’s unique gift; the questions the book asks about identity and family; and, naturally, a bit about...

In which we answer your questions about Amor Towles’ novel! Up next: My Name Is Asher Lev , chapters 1-2. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

We have come to the conclusion of Amor Towles’ novel, so this week David, Heidi, and Ian discussed the Casablanca of it all, whether the book ends in a satisfying fashion, and the count’s trajectory of growth. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

The Rings of Power season one is over and it’s time to take stock. So join Ian and David as they discuss what worked, what didn’t, and what may be next in this controversial new take on Tolkien’s work. Close Reads HQ is a community-supported publication. To receive bonus content & support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this...

This week David, Heidi, and Ian discussed whether the Count has changed over the course of the story, whether he is a “whole” character, David’s wild (pretend) theory about this book, and more on Towle’s approach to POV. Happy listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

This week David, Heidi, and Ian discussed whether this book is up to the ideas that it is asking us to contemplate, the meta elements of its presentation, the way this section knocks the count off his equilibrium, and much, much more. Happy listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscr...

This week David, Heidi, and Ian discussed the fascinating nature of the Count’s relationship with Anna; the book’s preoccupation with skill and craft; the way Europe hovers over the themes of the books; and much more. Happy listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

This week David, Heidi, and Ian discussed virtue, vice, and wine in A Gentleman in Moscow . Is that enough to prompt you to click play? Happy listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com/subscribe

Now that we’ve come to the end of book one of Amor Towles’ very popular novel, its time to reset and consider what key questions and themes this book is asking us to contemplate. What does this book have to say about modern man? Is it perhaps darker than our initial response would indicate? Why does Towles pepper the book with so many literary references? The and other questions are the subject of...

Amor Towles’ 2016 novel is one the most requested books in the history of the Close Reads community, so it’s only fair that we finally dig in! Join David, Heidi, and special guest, Ian Andrews of the Center for Lit, for an initial discussion of the themes of the book, what Towles does well, a bit on the historical context, and a whole bunch of wine talk at the end. Happy listening! This is a publi...

The discourse around Amazon’s Rings of Power has been fraught. So in this special crossover episode between Close Reads and Bibliophiles, David Kern and Ian Andrews try to figure out what works, what doesn’t, and why the conversation has been they way it is. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit closereads.substack.com...

It’s that time yet again — when we answer your questions! As usual, you gave us plenty to talk about. So in this final conversation about Eugene Vodolazkin’s novel, we contemplate Laurus’ lack of a burial, Tim’s Protestant viewpoint of the book, obsession with the end of the world, holy fools, and much more! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acce...

It’s been said that this is Close Reads Christmas. The last two days we have been revealing (on the Close Reads Facebook group and on the Goldberry Studios Instagram page ) the books we will be discussing on the show in 2023. And now that the whole list has been unveiled it’s time to share them all in one place. So jump in your car, grab your running shoes, start the laundry . . . prep for whateve...

While Tim explores the Scottish Highlands in a kilt (we presume), David and Heidi are discussing the final pages of Laurus . Conversation touches on the cyclical nature of the story and its themes, the downfall (and rehabilitation) of Laurus’ reputation, his late-in-life second chance, his death/falling asleep, and much more. Thanks so much for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to...

This week its Tim’s turn to be in Europe, so David and Heidi are holding down the podcast fort. The reading took us to the Book of Repose, so conversation touches on the untimely and fairly gruesome demise of Ambrogio, the book’s contemplation on the nature of time, the way the book is a form hagiography, and much, much more. Happy listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this...

During this week’s episode, Heidi was off on an adventure in Switzerland, so David and Tim held down the Close Reads fort, which just means they discussed Ambrogio the Italian, his strange visions, and his role in the book; the way the book layers deep philosophical questions into the narrative (including on the question of time); Tim’s grand theory for this book; and more. Close Reads HQ is a aud...

Arseny has a new name and is on a new journey, so on this week’s episode David, Heidi, and Tim dig into Ustina the miracle worker, the self-awareness of the book, reading it from a theological perspective, why David has some reservations about it, and much more. Close Reads HQ is a community-supported endeavor and when you subscribe you help us pay the bills (and gain access to bonus content). Tha...

This section of Laurus is fairly traumatic—so traumatic, in fact, that Heidi says she can barely bring herself to re-read it. So naturally David, Heidi, and Tim discussed what its purpose is, what Vodolazkin seems to be after, how they read this book, a few deep theological questions the book raises, and much more. Happy listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other...

It’s time to launch our voyage into a new book. Over the next six weeks or so we’ll be traversing with Arseny across medieval Russia, contemplating all the while matters of history, faith, mysticism, wonder, beauty, tragedy, sin, repentance, guilt, love, and much more. Here on this first episode, David, Heidi, and Tim explain why they love this book so much, discuss what makes Vodolazkin such a gi...

As always upon reaching the end of a book, it’s time for a Q&A episode. And, of course, you delivered plenty of great questions worthy of contemplation. So in this week’s episode David, Heidi, and Tim discussed the place of Moon (and his secret) within the narrative, the storyline of the falling man, why Kathy and Tom get on so well, and much more. Close Reads HQ is a community-supported endeavor....

In which David and Sean make Heidi endure the slings and arrows of the new adaptation of her favorite Jane Austen novel—all for your entertainment. Along the way they discuss the way the filmmakers seem not to have read the book but also have a good eye for wardrobe (but again, even there, seem unfamiliar with when the book and ostensibly the movie itself, takes place). It’s a whole thing. Anyway,...

This week we’re discussing the second half of J.L. Carr’s A Month in the Country , which means we’re chatting about Alice Keach, Mr Moon, what the fresco in the church reveals, Tom Birkin’s past, and much more. Oh—be warned: there’s also an off-the-rails conversation about wet neckerchiefs. (Reminder: we are away at a conference the rest of this week so there will be no episode next week. We will...

The gang is back together! Join David, Heidi, and Tim as they chat about one of David’s favorite books, J.L. Carr’s A Month in the Country . In this episode, they discuss what Carr does especially well, the virtues of the book being short, the story’s place in World War I narratives, and much more. Happy listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or g...

Join David, Heidi, and Karen as they conclude their conversation of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles by answering your questions. Topics include Tess’s idealization of Angel, frustrations with the end of the book, the development of the novel as an art form, Hardy’s criticisms of his culture, Hardy’s use of symbolism, and much more! (And thanks to Karen Swallow Prior for joining us for thi...

Here we are at the end of another novel. Join David, Heidi, and Karen as they compare Alec’s love for Tess with Angel’s, contemplate the way justice is explored in Tess’ conclusion, discuss the nature of classical tragedy, and much more! Close Reads is an audience-support endeavor and when you subscribe you gain access to special bonus content while also support a truly independent program. Subscr...